Any preferences?Personally I think more than ever rugby has lost its soul and any form of ingenuity.Everyone is doing the same thing but the best teams just do it better.

Back in the day teams were distinctive by their styles and geniuses were allowed to express their brilliance.Nowadays they are snuffed out and seen as being unwanted mavericks.Only the All Blacks stand out as a side so dominant that individual brilliance can come to the fore.Cant see this changing any time soon.

Leinster good side as were Sarries but scarely remember anything which resonates with me in their Euro successes that could compare with say Humps effort v Stade Francais in 99

But maybe I'm a dinosaur and maybe in years from now.we will be looking back at the likes of Sexton Warbuton Farrell etc with the same rose tinted glasses as I currently see yesteryear.

However really not sure where the next BOD, Williams or Robinson are coming from.Never mind a Blanco JPR or Gibson as rugby is currently played to instruction and no one goes off script.I have small hope for Jordan Larmour but that's all, otherwise is that that then?

Right there that's the problem.They really aren't.Rugby can learn a thing or 3 from the players coaches and teams of yesteryear.Instead they are confusing old for dated.

In terms of camaraderie and team building we could learn something from the past.Some of the lines of running and handling and working space are lost art forms.Dummys side steps and hand offs have been replaced by monotonous pods and systems.Proper tackling over collisions would alleviate concussion issues should be looked at.

Right there that's the problem.They really aren't.Rugby can learn a thing or 3 from the players coaches and teams of yesteryear.Instead they are confusing old for dated.

In terms of camaraderie and team building we could learn something from the past.Some of the lines of running and handling and working space are lost art forms.Dummys side steps and hand offs have been replaced by monotonous pods and systems.Proper tackling over collisions would alleviate concussion issues should be looked at.

Jeepers, this is a rabbit warren. Rugby is evolving and will continue to do so as smart alecs work out ways to outflank the opposition. The current stage of evolution has a structured format and dominant defences.

Interesting quandary Liz, I believe I saw the greatest rugby player ever, Gareth Edwards, mainly during that golden era for Wales in the seventies. He enabled two great 10s, Barry John & Phil Bennett to show their individual genius, whilst showing his own full range of skills, but above all with Gareth, his indefatigable will to win and the power in that relatively small frame was what set him aside as just a different class. The only player I saw to rival him was CMH Gibson NIFC.

There is no doubt that the game was slower and I do to a large extent buy into the theory that they are different games and comparing Edwards to Carter is like trying to compare Gentleman Jack Johnston with Mohammed Ali or Joe Louis.

Although you see skill in abundance from the All Blacks, indeed arguably much more than 30 years ago, the team is everything, all good things come from the team gelling and collectively overpowering and outplaying the opposition and with those the opportunity for individual skill, though they specialise in the team try.

I believe that the sheer fitness, size and power of players these days mitigates against some former greats finding the space to do their thing, the team has become much more important than the individual.

I don't see a clear resolution/agreement on your thread Liz, but maybe a few interesting thoughts.

Support the team and coaching staff. Forget the rest,BUT NEVER MOVE ON.

FIRFU - FU'CK YOU ONE AND ALL, CAVING IN TO SPONSORS, SACKING THE INNOCENT FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE, SHAMEFUL BASTA'RDS. YOU'VE LOST MY SUPPORT & I HOPE MORE ULSTERMEN & WOMEN

UlsterNo9 wrote:Willie John wouldn't get a game for Ulster this Saturday

Way too old.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Joking asides Willie John would probably be a prop in modern rugby.

Forwards loose play is incomparable as they hunted as an 8 man pack back in the day whereas now it's a general rule of 3, conscious of over committal of numbers in both attack and defence.They have become handlers, linkers instead of solely providing the backs ball.

Lineout were a lottery rucks were a kick fest but interesting the way scrums are now are closer to what they were 40 years ago than 5, so a prime example of learning from the past.

The main issues I see are in the backs.In terms of skill, spacial awareness and handling I think there has been regression sacrificed for power and bludgeon.

I am driven to frustration watching simple overlaps blown by players looking for contact or cut out passes not commiting defenders.

I was watching a move that the Aussies scored against the 89 Lions in the first test.It was dismissed out of hand by other coaches as it was too old school.I implemented it and we've scored every time as the opposition didn't know what was going on.Confirmed to me that we can still learn from lines of running and timing.https://youtu.be/D5GKgD5d2Ec1 minute 40 in the Aussies were masters at it.

UlsterNo9 wrote:Willie John wouldn't get a game for Ulster this Saturday

Way too old.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Joking asides Willie John would probably be a prop in modern rugby.

Forwards loose play is incomparable as they hunted as an 8 man pack back in the day whereas now it's a general rule of 3, conscious of over committal of numbers in both attack and defence.They have become handlers, linkers instead of solely providing the backs ball.

Lineout were a lottery rucks were a kick fest but interesting the way scrums are now are closer to what they were 40 years ago than 5, so a prime example of learning from the past.

The main issues I see are in the backs.In terms of skill, spacial awareness and handling I think there has been regression sacrificed for power and bludgeon.

I am driven to frustration watching simple overlaps blown by players looking for contact or cut out passes not commiting defenders.

I was watching a move that the Aussies scored against the 89 Lions in the first test.It was dismissed out of hand by other coaches as it was too old school.I implemented it and we've scored every time as the opposition didn't know what was going on.Confirmed to me that we can still learn from lines of running and timing.https://youtu.be/D5GKgD5d2Ec1 minute 40 in the Aussies were masters at it.

FFFS Liz that should have had a health warning, I haven't had my brekkie yet and you inflict something with that thundercunt Guscott in it without warning.

Support the team and coaching staff. Forget the rest,BUT NEVER MOVE ON.

FIRFU - FU'CK YOU ONE AND ALL, CAVING IN TO SPONSORS, SACKING THE INNOCENT FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE, SHAMEFUL BASTA'RDS. YOU'VE LOST MY SUPPORT & I HOPE MORE ULSTERMEN & WOMEN

There is a lot of truth in the statement that professional players have to play to the script -- and because they do the talent and flair is hidden .

Basically the script is safety first never give the opposition the space to run at you . Avoid kicking away possession -- possession being 9 10ths of defence on the simple truth that the opposition can't score without the ball, without the ball the opposition will become frustrated and give away penalties .

Given space there are players who can exploit it thus the defensive game has become developed to ensure the ball cannot get wide and the gain line is protected by slowing the recycle.

There is also the a tendency to forget that Old school rugby frequently had its share of boring games possible some more boring than the modern game -- endless scrums and line outs , frequent knock-ons due to a slippery wet leather ball that weighed a ton with games played on pitches more mud than grass.

The annoying thing about the modern game is not so much the players but commentators who inflate the ordinary to a greatness they have no chance of attaining.

UlsterNo9 wrote:Willie John wouldn't get a game for Ulster this Saturday

Way too old.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Joking asides Willie John would probably be a prop in modern rugby.

Forwards loose play is incomparable as they hunted as an 8 man pack back in the day whereas now it's a general rule of 3, conscious of over committal of numbers in both attack and defence.They have become handlers, linkers instead of solely providing the backs ball.

Lineout were a lottery rucks were a kick fest but interesting the way scrums are now are closer to what they were 40 years ago than 5, so a prime example of learning from the past.

The main issues I see are in the backs.In terms of skill, spacial awareness and handling I think there has been regression sacrificed for power and bludgeon.

I am driven to frustration watching simple overlaps blown by players looking for contact or cut out passes not commiting defenders.

I was watching a move that the Aussies scored against the 89 Lions in the first test.It was dismissed out of hand by other coaches as it was too old school.I implemented it and we've scored every time as the opposition didn't know what was going on.Confirmed to me that we can still learn from lines of running and timing.https://youtu.be/D5GKgD5d2Ec1 minute 40 in the Aussies were masters at it.

FFFS Liz that should have had a health warning, I haven't had my brekkie yet and you inflict something with that thundercunt Guscott in it without warning.